Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-25
LOVE VERSUS DEATH.

| The interior of an ambulance. Rows O
beds supported on trestles, occupied all 0
them by victims sacrificed to the GOODIES
Prestige. Surgeons busy, nurses busy, file
busy. A glare of light through the window
suggesting the dry scorching heat outside
and a noise like continuous thunder, fore
warning those occupied in the work of re
pairing damages that there was employment
enough still in store
Not an individual soul here present bu
would richly repay the trouble of an analyst
| not one the story of whose earthly lif
| truly told would stir the heart of the heare
to its foundations These two. for instance
who could read them with clear insight int.
the motives for their actions, into their men
tai struggles, their joys and sorrows, ant
turn away unmovedl
Yet fate has not been specially unkind t.
them. The nurse is young, earnest, full o
| sympathy for suffering-a lady who has lef
the enjoyment Of idleness and luxury for tn,
happiness OF hardship and noble work. He
patient is man who has not yet reached
who never will reach, the age of 90
| All is done for him that can be done. TIL,
havoc made by some modern engine of war
fare is too great for the surgeons art to put
SIldlBul. anu REFUSES 10 nave
| any hand in the matter.
The nurse signs. poor fellow! Has he 8
mother, [ wonder, who will break her hear
| for hims"
Her face full of pity, she brushes away al
| impertinent fly. The wounded soldier open.
| his eyes and looks at her.
Looks at her, and she at him, long anC
| earnestly, as though the gaze Of each hold:
| the other spellbound. Then, swift as a fasf
of lightning, comes pain and seizes the young
man in her cruel grasp, wringing him with
anguish so great that he is unconscious of al
beside, though his will to bear without CRY
or groan is unconquered
The nurse stands by, raging inwarGly al
her own powerlessness to alleviate flaming
him, wiping the drops of agony from his
brow, holding his hand as his mother might
have done, while he brushes the soft fingers
In his misery.
At last it is over, and he turns his face
toward her with a smile.
"You are an angel" he says weakly; and
after pause, Il hope l shall die before that
comes again"
of 1 could but bear part of it, she MUIR
murs pityingly.
az am dying, am not?" he asks.
She does hot answer in;words, but he reads
an affirmative in her face. As she is about
to pass on, his fingers close on a fold of her
gray dress.
"Speak to me again, nurse. Touch nv
hand once more. don't think [ am a cow
ard, but the loneliness of death makes one
cling to the living. Think; may not be
here when you come this way again."
She pauses on the instant and complies to
the extent of laying her hand on his Her
eyes, full of tears, are lifted to one Of the
windows, and her lips move in an inaudible
prayer. As she lets her glance fall to his
CHASTITY face she sees it contract and turn vet
more livid. "Don't leave meln he gasps out
at is coming back"
When it is over he is too PROSTATE to speak
until she has put some reviving draught to
his lips.
at is very hard" are his FIRST words Il
was sure you eXisted-somewhere ] have
been looking for you for years, and have
only found you to leave you. | knew you
when your eyes first met mine. You are the
other half of my soul"
She makes no reply. There is no surprise
in her face; nothing but extreme sadness.
Tell me" he whispers, ARE you marriedPr
She shakes her head.
DO you lovef"
Her lips move in second negative. His
eyes light up, and for some moments more
natural color tinges his dying face.
"If l had lived" he says, Il would have
offered you my life"
She remains motionless and silent, under
the power of some influence that renders her
oblivious OF time and place.
balipya y Ina, continues boljipcr how xr;+l,
the intensity of his gaze, that you would
have taken it viii livei must live! Pray
that l may have one more year-one year
with your
1T cannot be, she says sorrowfully.
Il am going, then," and be lies musing for
a few seconds, with half closed lids Good
by!" he murmurs. Then suddenly rouSing
himself. he adds excitedly,, "No. not goodbvl
we shall meet again-somewhere. | feel it.
am certain of it. Nurse, If there is anything
in you that responds to what you have
aroused in me, keep yourself for me, Wait
for me-"
The nurses eyes are upon his, the pupils
strangely dilated; her lips are parted.
her breathing is quick, her fair complexion
glows with a curious transparent flush, as
though lighted up 10y an internal fire
will youl"
A yes" falls from her parted lips
Dare you promise that no other man shall
come between you and my memory?7
His eagerneSs seems TO have given him
force, as he half raises himself and deyours
her face for reply She speaks it as if in
dream:
Il promise
"You are miner
Il am yours
'Forever-through time TO eternity"
"Forever-for time and eternity she
echoes
A radiance OF JOY overspreads his features.
Strange he murmurs, "that 10 me love
and death should GENE hand in hand-love 10
lnite-death to divide. But | have no fear
be adds, with tones fast growing fainter. Il
owe you-remember that. This is not all
.hough-one kiSS-to seal the
His voice fails. She bends down and their
lips meet. Then, as she raises her head and
,azes once more into his dim eyes, al light Of
understanding is eStinguished, and be dies
II.
On fragrant summer evening. by an
open window, were two sisters in evening
ireSs. The elder was the former nurse, her
spiritual beauty accentuated by the simmer (
If sheeny white fabric that framed it The |
rounger had all her fairness, though without !
Is essential charm.
Dreaming, as usual, said the latter airily, |
Is she drew on pair of gloves. looking curl |
,usly the while at the star like ewes shining |
,ut into the dusk Il wish you had never 1
rome into those horrible scenes that changed /